THERE is no better time to redefine governance at the grassroots than now that Governor Sheriff Oborevwori has charged the newly elected local government chairmen on what they should do to make progress in Delta State. Their election and inauguration presents a unique opportunity to the new helmsmen to break away from past inefficiencies and set a new standard for good governance marked by integrity, responsiveness, and a genuine commitment to improve the well-being of the people.
Laying out the expectations and responsibilities of the new leaders while inaugurating them in Asaba, the Governor emphasized the need for the chairmen to prioritize the needs and aspirations of the grassroots and highlighted essential governance principles such as sincerity of purpose, impartiality, compassion, fairness, and justice. These values, undoubtedly, are foundational to any administration committed to the collective good rather than individual gains.
By aligning their efforts with the broader goals of the state government, encapsulated in the M.O.R.E Agenda—a comprehensive plan aimed at enhancing the state’s development—the chairmen would ensure that their programmes reflect the aspirations and needs of the people.
The governor’s advice to them to tackle recurring problems such as insecurity, unemployment, and environmental decay is germane since those deep-seated issues require innovative and sustained efforts to resolve. While insecurity, for instance, poses a significant threat to the well-being of the populace and the overall development of the Local Government Areas, the chairmen should devise proactive solutions to these challenges to foster a safer, more prosperous communities within their jurisdiction.
His emphasis on avoiding wasteful spending and extravagant lifestyles is critical to running an administration characterized by modesty, fiscal discipline, prudent management, and judicious allocation of resources. With the new autonomy granted to local governments that gives them more funds, the expectation is that the resources will be used efficiently to benefit people at the grassroots. The onus is on them to ensure that every kobo spent improves the lives of the people.
Aligned to the aforementioned is the advice to boost Internally-Generated Revenue (IGR) for sustainable development, but as desirable as it is, they should not overtax the already burdened populace. Rather, the chairmen must find innovative ways to enhance revenue without imposing undue hardship on their constituents.
Local governments play a pivotal role in the daily lives of citizens. Their functions as outlined in the 1999 Constitution, as amended, include keeping markets clean, maintaining rural roads, improving primary healthcare centres, providing potable water, building and maintaining parks, naming and numbering streets, managing public cemeteries, establishing slaughterhouses, and registering births, deaths, and marriages are essential services that directly impact the quality of life.
While we commend Governor Oborevworifor fostering democracy in the Local Government Areas, it is incumbent on the chairman to use the governor’s advice as a daily manual in their daily official activities. Initiating life-enhancing projects, prioritizing the well-being of their people, and promoting policies that support sustainable development are crucial at this point in time. They should resist temptation to pursue selfishagendasand focuson altruisticpoliciesthat will transform their respective localities.
Now that Oborevwori has provided a roadmap which can lead them to a successful tenure if they imbibe requisite values and practices that are emblematic of good governance, they must brace up to the challenges to deliver tangible results which will invariably set a positive example for future administrations.
What lies before them is a golden opportunity which they should seize and utilise effectively as a proof that their election could result in meaningful change and improved fortune for Deltans in the 25 local councils. Heeding Oborevwori’s charge will help them to set a precedent for a responsible, inclusive, and effective governance that can serve as a model for other states.
